I Think Beto O' Rourke Can Win

I am running to serve you as the next president. The challenges we face are the greatest in living memory. No one person can meet them on their own. Only this country can do that, and only if we build a movement that includes all of us. Say you're in:

I think just about all of the Democratic candidates could beat Donald Trump. I just wanted to comment on O' Rourke's statement announcing he is running for President. I think he could beat Donald Trump in the general election. He seems like he could get many different types of people to vote for him. We still have to see his policies, but so far he seems like he could win.

3. Trump won Texas by 9%. Beto lost to Cruz by 2.6%.

Considering the significant difference in voter turnout in TX between the right and the left, that's a pretty significant accomplishment. If TX had national-average turnout, Beto would probably have won, but D turnout is an ongoing problem here.

I find it curious that people seem to want to discount Beto solely because he lost a close race to a Republican in a red-turning-purple state, but don't seem to think that Democrats who've lost previous primaries by much larger margins against other Democrats should be viewed similarly. By similar logic, Sanders and Biden should just pack it in, Joe before even he announces.

If I were to vote in a presidentialprimary today, I would vote for:Undecided

18. Had zero to do with Beto. ALL to do with orchestrated

smear campaign on Facebook. I saw it everywhere. And after a week of it, Beto, who had been rising plateaued just in time. Bet there were intense debates on Cruz campaign about when to unleash the trash.

If I were to vote in a presidentialprimary today, I would vote for:Joe Biden

4. I think he can win too. Charisma is more important than policy.

All Democrats are hitting the same policy themes, some a bit more to the left than others, but all in the same ballpark. Personality not policy is what really distinguishes them, and we need someone who can fire up the troops and steal the spotlight from Trump.

If I were to vote in a presidentialprimary today, I would vote for:Jay Inslee

11. That is a great summary

Charisma is like the quarterback and policy is like the defensive line. Yes, both are terrific advantages and there are examples of each one carrying the day without the other, but given a choice of more-often-than-not there really isn't a choice at all.

Give me the quarterback and I'll take my chances.

If I were to vote in a presidentialprimary today, I would vote for:Beto O'Rourke

14. True

And Cruz lasted a lot longer than more established Repubicons. I did have to laugh my ass off when he made that desperation move at the end to have Carly Fiorina as his "running mate". She has run two companies (Lucent and Hewlett Packard) straight into the ground, and Lyin' Ted thought he could pick up California votes with his last-ditch gambit.

If I were to vote in a presidentialprimary today, I would vote for:Undecided

16. Better than what?

Beto vs. Trump and Trump vs. Cruz have nothing in common. Apples and oranges. The latter was a primary and irrelevant to a national contest in 2020. Besides, Cruz thumped Trump in Texas 44/27. Beto lost by 2.6%.

Trump won the primary overall because he tapped into disaffected, racist morons who couldn't see through his crap and other assorted malcontents. He certainly didn't beat Cruz because he was a better candidate. Had the GOP gotten their shit together earlier and rallied behind one anti-Trump candidate, Cruz may have won. He was one of the last ones in the race.

If I were to vote in a presidentialprimary today, I would vote for:Undecided

19. Interesting what the left leaning Austin radio show

said today. ALL you have to do to win in TX is to just show you are a good guy. No policy. Just that more than half think Trump's an asshole scumbag. Just show you aren't. They didn't like Beto's policy laden display this morning. They think it turns people off. Just be a nice guy

If I were to vote in a presidentialprimary today, I would vote for:Joe Biden

30. I am torn...I have been Harris/Biden or Biden/Harris....

....Now I see Beto and say "Wow"....I am impressed....

It would be great to see a Harris/Beto or Beto/Harris - if I thought that those two could win the entire Nation....

I love Joe Biden....despite his "baggage" from his past. However - I think Biden on the ticket as President with either Harris or Beto would be a winning ticket for POTUS and beating Trump and helping bring our Nation back and our democracy.

I think we need a woman on the ticket....I really don't feel having two white males is what our Nation needs....yet is that what is needed to beat a racist misogynistic MOFO?

So I don't know what will happen...

If I were to vote in a presidentialprimary today, I would vote for:Kamala Harris

24. He has great charisma, and there's a lot to like about him

I'd like to know more about his actual beliefs and policies at a national level though, as obviously running in Texas he had to tailor things more to the local audience.

I suspect its too early for him, and I'd definitely prefer him to gain a bit more experience first. If he could take a senate seat in 2020 and look to run in 2028 that would be ideal I think. If he can win it now though, good for him!

If I were to vote in a presidentialprimary today, I would vote for:Bernie Sanders

25. I don't

What precisely -- if you would, please -- makes you think he can win the Democratic nomination? Charm is certainly a nice quality, but he's weak on the issues that appear to be driving D voters' enthusiasm this cycle (where he even has firm stands on them).

My belief, FWIW, is that Beto will make someone a helpful running mate; probably not Biden or Sanders, perhaps Kamala or Liz Warren, Amy Klobuchar, or Cory Booker should they be nominated.

One other point: Perhaps you are aware that the LBJ law in Texas means he can run for both president and US Senate (against John Cornyn) next year. I fully expect both O'Rourke and Julián Castro to avail themselves of this.

The conversation so far has been presented as an either-or — that if O’Rourke runs for Senate, he’d be out of the presidential race. But both O’Rourke and Castro would be eligible to be on the Texas ticket for Senate and for president or vice president, if they so desired. Texas law prevents candidates from filing for more than one office, except for that LBJ exemption. And the exemption in the Texas Election Code is broader than history might indicate: “This section does not apply to candidacy for the office of president or vice-president of the United States and another office.”

Sp while I do not think either man can capture the nomination, one would be a strong ticket mate for the right nominee. And with Beto and Castro both on the top of the 2020 ballot, Texas turns blue. And the GOP loses Texas, the White House, the Senate ...